Cork councillors push for new speed cameras

Following the announcement of moves to install traffic cameras with automatic number plate recognition in Dublin, there are calls growing for the same to be introduced in Cork.

Such cameras use automatic number plate recognition technology to record the time a vehicle passes through entry and exit points, with drivers receiving fines and penalty points if they travel from point A to point B too quickly.

Following calls recently from Labour Party city councillor Peter Horgan for a similar initiative in Cork, Independent county councillor Finbarr Harrington told The Echo why he also believes real time road traffic cameras should be rolled out in Cork.

“I definitely think they should be introduced more, especially in the blackspots, accident prone spots.

“If you look at the speed van and they are parked in a certain area, people get caught for speeding just for that split second.

“Whereas if you had these distance time cameras and you come on the camera and you see the speed camera, then you realise you are gone over the speed limit, then you slow down substantially.

“If you slow down enough before you pass the next camera, then you have reduced your speed and it has done its job. The driver behaviour then starts to buy into that.

“I think the likes of those are far more beneficial and do a lot more for reducing speed as opposed to just catching some fella that exceeds the speed limit in one single point.”

Meanwhile Oliver Moran, Green Party city councillor, told The Echo he would also be in favour of real time speed cameras.

“Automated cameras would both free up garda resources and ensure the law is enforced at key locations. The current situation at places like Patrick Street and key junctions where the law is flouted is that gardaí can be deployed one day but, as soon as they’re taken away, motorists assume it’s open season again.”

In recent weeks, Mr Horgan said he would seek funding for the installation of these cameras from the National Transport Authority to “bring into operation these cameras as a matter of priority for Cork”.